Lifting UN Sanctions in Iraq: The Role of the International Community

Released by the Bureau of Public Affairs
May 12, 2003
[PDF]

The resolution tabled on May 9 at the UN by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain will: --Lift economic sanctions now --Encourage the international community to assist in helping the Iraqi people build a better future for their country --Establish a UN Special Coordinator --Provide for humanitarian needs, while winding down the Oil-for-Food program --Support Iraqis in charting their own political future --Return the benefits of Iraqi oil to the Iraqi people

The resolution encourages the participation of the UN, interested states and regional organizations in Iraq’s economic and political reconstruction:

Fulfill the promise of a vital UN role.
To ensure the UN plays a vital role in Iraq’s reconstruction, the resolution proposes the appointment of a UN Special Coordinator. This individual will coordinate UN humanitarian assistance, support economic reconstruction, facilitate civil administration, assist in the development of a representative government, and promote legal and judicial reform and human rights.

Encourage support for Iraq’s recovery from states and interested organizations.
The resolution encourages the international community to support the Iraqi people in building a free, prosperous and secure Iraq, including by responding to UN humanitarian appeals and providing resources for reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq’s infrastructure. It also welcomes the assistance of international financial institutions to the people of Iraq.

Confirms the international community’s commitment to the right of the Iraqi people to freely determine their own political future.
The resolution calls on the UN Special Coordinator and the international community to support the Iraqi people in their effort to establish a permanent representative government based on the rule of law, which affords equal rights to the people of Iraq without regard to ethnicity, religion, or gender.

Bar Iraqis who committed crimes and atrocities from receiving safe haven in other countries.
The resolution also affirms the need for accountability for crimes and atrocities committed by Saddam’s regime, including the Kuwaitis and third-country nationals imprisoned during and since the 1991 Gulf War.

Protect Iraq’s heritage.
The resolution will establish a ban on international trade in Iraqi cultural property and other archaeological, historical, cultural, religious and rare scientific items illegally removed from the Iraq National Museum, National Library and other locations.

Support continued efforts to account for Kuwaitis and others missing since Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Provide for continued funding of the UN Compensation Commission which deals with outstanding claims stemming from the 1990 invasion.
Five percent of oil proceeds will automatically be deposited into the UNCC Compensation Fund.

The UN has a vital role to play in Iraq’s recovery.

[end]